I propped myself back on my elbows and let my head turn upward until all I could see was spacious sky full of stars, and light. The sound of fireworks broke through the warm night air, and the hum of voices grew to collective oohs, and aahs with each new explosion of light. The bright tendrils dripped toward earth as each blast dissipated and a new one took its place. I watched the fireworks display and reflected on this Independence…